title: The economics of elective cesarean section.
abstract: Four million deliveries occur annually in the United States, and obstetric care has traditionally constituted a substantial portion of medical costs for young women, as well as being a major source of uncompensated care. The economic implications of a large shift in the mode of delivery are potentially important. This article reviews the relevant economic issues surrounding elective cesarean section and cesarean section at maternal request, summarizes the methodological quality and results of current literature on the topic, and presents recommendations for further study.
authors.affiliation: Division of Newborn Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Enders 9, Boston, MA, USA. jzupanci@bidmc.harvard.edu
authors.forename: John A F
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Zupancic
mesh_terms: D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000191:economics*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy